Facilitating Communications Between Computer Users Across a Network

ABSTRACT

A stand-alone icon (i.e., an icon that is not part of an application interface) is provided to facilitate communications across a network between users of at least one communications program. The icon represents a contact or a set of contacts. Status information regarding the contact or set of contacts is received and displayed using the icon or in response to an operation performed on the icon. The icon additionally may provide an interface for performing actions related to the contact or set of contacts. The actions may generally include, for example, retrieving profile information about the contact, setting an alert to indicate that the contact&#39;s network/login status (e.g., login, logout, or idle) has changed, or performing communications with the contact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/392,300, filed on Mar. 20, 2003, now allowed, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/330,670, filed onDec. 30, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,266,776 on Sep. 4, 2007,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/428,726, filed on Nov. 25, 2002, all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to electronic communications.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of the Internet and a decline in computer prices, manypeople are communicating with one another through computersinterconnected by networks. A number of different communicationsprograms have been developed to facilitate such communications betweencomputer users. These programs typically have a user interface thatpresents representations of a user's contacts (i.e., other users who areconnected to the network and with whom the user of the program cancommunicate). A user may invoke communications or other interactionswith a particular contact by selecting a representation of that contactthat is maintained as a part of the communications program's userinterface. The representations typically also provide status informationregarding the contact, such as whether the contact is online, how longthe contact has been online, whether the contact is away, or whether thecontact is using a mobile device.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a stand-alone icon is provided to facilitatenetwork communications between users of at least one communicationsprogram. The icon represents at least one contact of a user. When statusinformation regarding the contact is received, the status information isdisplayed using the icon or in response to an operation performed on theicon.

The status information may include, for example, whether the contact isonline, how long the contact has been online, whether the contact isaway or busy, whether the contact is using a mobile device, what typesof connections the contact can accept, what capabilities are provided bythe contact's connection, or what capabilities are provided by thecommunications program

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the stand-alone icon also may provide an interface forperforming actions related to the contact. When an operation that isassociated with at least one action related to the contact is performedon the icon, the action is executed in response to the operation beingperformed on the icon. The action may be the same as an action thatwould be executed in response to an operation performed on arepresentation of the contact in a user interface of the communicationsprogram.

The operation associated with the action may include dropping an iconrepresenting information to be transmitted to the contact on thestand-alone icon, with the associated action including the transmissionof the information to the contact. The information may be, for example,in a text or file form.

The icon that represents a contact or set of contacts may be availablewhen the communications program is not executing. The communicationsprogram may be initiated in response to an operation being performed onthe icon representing the contact.

The communications program may be, for example, an electronic mail(e-mail) program, an instant messaging (IM) program, a file transferprotocol (FTP) program, or a voice-over-IP (VoIP) program.

Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, amethod or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary networked computingenvironment that supports communications between computer users.

FIG. 2 is a computer desktop illustrating an example of a communicationsprogram interface presented to a user of the communications program.

FIG. 3A is a flow chart illustrating a process used to facilitatecommunications between users across a network in which statusinformation of a contact is displayed using a stand-alone iconrepresenting a contact or set of contacts or in response to an operationperformed on the icon.

FIG. 3B illustrates a process for additionally using the stand-aloneicon to provide an interface for performing actions related to thecontact or set of contacts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process for using drag-and-drop features with thestand-alone icon to provide an interface for actions such astransferring files or text.

FIGS. 5A-5I are computer desktops illustrating implementations of thedescribed techniques with an instant messaging program.

FIGS. 6A-6C are computer desktops illustrating a drag-and-drop manner ofcreating the stand-alone icon that represents a contact in oneimplementation for an instant messaging program.

FIGS. 7A-7C are computer desktops illustrating a drag-and-drop manner ofadding a contact to the contact list of an instant message program usingthe stand-alone icon that represents the contact.

FIG. 8 is a computer desktop illustrating an implementation in whichmultiple stand-alone icons, each representing either a contact or set ofcontacts, are situated in a desktop file folder.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A stand-alone icon (i.e., an icon that is not part of an applicationinterface) is provided to facilitate communications across a networkbetween users of at least one communications program. The iconrepresents a contact or a set of contacts. Status information regardingthe contact or set of contacts is received and displayed using the iconor in response to an operation performed on the icon. The iconadditionally may provide an interface for performing actions related tothe contact or set of contacts. The actions may generally include, forexample, retrieving profile information about the contact, setting analert to indicate that the contact's network/login status (e.g., login,logout, or idle) has changed, or performing communications with thecontact.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary networked computing environment 100 thatsupports communications between computer users. Computer users aredistributed geographically and communicate using client systems 102. Anetwork 104 interconnects client systems 102. Client systems 102 areconnected to network 104 through various communication mediums, such asa modem connected to a telephone line (using, for example, serial lineinternet protocol (SLIP) or point-to-point protocol (PPP)) or a directinternetwork connection (using, for example, transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP)). A host server 106 also may beconnected to network 104 and may be used to facilitate some direct orindirect communications between the client systems 102.

Each of the client systems 102 and host server 106 may be implementedusing, for example, a general-purpose computer capable of responding toand executing instructions in a defined manner, a personal computer, aspecial-purpose computer, a workstation, a server, a device, acomponent, or other equipment or some combination thereof capable ofresponding to and executing instructions. Client systems 102 and hostserver 106 may receive instructions from, for example, a softwareapplication, a program, a piece of code, a device, a computer, acomputer system, or a combination thereof, which independently orcollectively direct operations, as described herein. These instructionsmay take the form of one or more communications programs that facilitatecommunications between the users of client systems 102. Suchcommunications programs may include, for example, e-mail programs, IMprograms, FTP programs, or VoIP programs. The instructions may beembodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component,equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal that is capable of beingdelivered to a client system 102 or the host server 106.

Each client system 102 and host server 106 includes a communicationsinterface (not shown) used by the communications programs to sendcommunications through network 104. The communications may includee-mail, audio data, video data, general binary data, or text data (e.g.,data encoded in American Standard Code for Information Interchange(ASCII) format).

The network 104 typically includes a series of portals interconnectedthrough a coherent system. Examples of the network 104 include theInternet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analogor digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN)), an Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN), or a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), or any other wiredor wireless network. The network 104 may include multiple networks orsubnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wirelessdata pathway.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary interface presented to a user of one ofthe client systems 102 when running an instant messaging client program.Instant messaging programs typically allow users to communicate inreal-time with each other in a variety of ways. For example, manyinstant messaging programs allow users to send text as an instantmessage, to transfer files, and to communicate by voice. Examples of IMprograms include those provided by AIM (America Online InstantMessenger), AOL (America Online) Instant Messaging, Yahoo Messenger, MSNMessenger, and ICQ.

Shown is a desktop 200 with a user interface 205 of the instantmessaging client program. User interface 205 has a text box 210 thatdisplays representations 215 of the program user's contacts or buddies(both terms are used interchangeably herein), which are other users ofan instant messaging program with whom the program user desires tocommunicate and interact. The representations 215 may provide statusinformation to the program user about the contact, such as whether thecontact is online, how long the contact has been online, whether thecontact is away, or whether the contact is using a mobile device. Thestatus information may be provided in a number of different ways.

For instance, in the exemplary interface 205, buddies who are notconnected to the network are listed under the “Offline” category, whileones who are online (e.g., randomcontact) are listed in a correspondingcategory (e.g., “Buddies”). In the exemplary interface 205, a dialog box230 that is displayed, for example, when a user points at a contact'srepresentation with a cursor, provides other status informationregarding the contact. Icons (not shown) may be displayed next to thecontact's name to indicate other status information, such as when thecontact is away (i.e., not at his or her computer or other communicationdevice). Dialog box 230 displays the network through which the contactis communicating (i.e., “Service”) and how long the contact has beenconnected to the network (i.e., “Online time”). Dialog box 230 alsodisplays which communication types and other features the contact's IMprogram supports (i.e., “Capabilities”). In addition, a warning level(i.e., “Warnings”) is displayed for the contact to provide an indicationof how well the contact behaves online. A dialog box such as box 230 maydisplay other status information, such as whether the user is connectedto the network through a mobile device or whether the user is away.

The list of contacts displayed in text box 210 of user interface 205typically is referred to as the contact list or buddy list. The programuser can typically add or remove contacts from the contact list. In theexample shown, the representations 215 are text icons showing the screennames of the contacts.

Instant messaging programs may use an instant messaging server to assistin communications between users of the instant messaging program. Theinstant messaging server may be implemented, for example, using hostserver 106. When a user is connected to the network and executes theinstant messaging program, the instant messaging program contacts thehost server 106 and logs the user onto the host server 106. The hostserver 106 informs the instant messaging program about statusinformation regarding the user's contacts and facilitates communicationsbetween the program user and an online contact.

The host server 106 may support IM services irrespective of a programuser's network or Internet access. Thus, host server 106 may allow usersto send and receive IMs, regardless of whether they have access to anyparticular Internet service provider (ISP). The host server 106 also maysupport associated services, such as administrative matters,advertising, directory services, chat, and interest groups related toIM. To transfer data, the host server 106 employs one or more standardor proprietary IM protocols.

To begin an IM session, the IM client program running on a client system102 establishes a connection with the host server 106 and logs onto thehost server 106. Once a session is established, a user can use the IMclient program to view status information exchange IMs with particularbuddies, participate in group chat rooms, trade files such as pictures,invitations or documents. The program user also may be able to findother buddies with similar interests, get customized information such asnews and stock quotes, and search the World Wide Web.

Host server 106 may assist IM communications between users of IM clientprograms by facilitating the establishment of a peer-to-peercommunication session between the IM client programs. Or the host server106 may assist IM communications by directly routing communicationsbetween the IM client programs.

When a contact is online, the program user can communicate or interactwith the contact in a number of ways. For instance, the program user cansend an instant message to the contact (typically in the form of text).Sending a message opens up a window in which messages can be typedback-and-forth between the program user and the contact. Similarly, theprogram user also can send a file or other content to the contact.

To initiate these actions for a contact, the program user performsoperations on the representation of the contact displayed in userinterface 205. The program then executes the corresponding action inresponse to the operation performed on the representation. For example,an instant message might be initiated by double-clicking on a contact'srepresentation. Or, a file transfer might be initiated by the programuser selecting the contact's representation to bring up a context menuand choosing “send a file” from the menu.

Other actions can be executed in response to operations performed on therepresentation of the contact displayed in interface 205. For instance,a “buddy icon” can be set for the contact such that communications withthe contact display the buddy icon. In addition, for example, profileinformation about the contact can be retrieved, an alert can be set toinform the program user when the contact is online, a VoIP communicationsession can be established, or an e-mail can be sent.

User interface 205 may have icons 220 to help a user set various optionsor perform operations in the instant messaging program. By selecting the“setup” icon 225, for example, the program user can invoke a window thatallows for manual addition or removal of contacts from the buddy list.Some of the icons 220 also may assist in initiating communications orinteractions. The “IM” icon 235, for instance, may be used as analternative way to initiate instant messages. For instance, the programuser can highlight the representation of a contact, and initiate aninstant message with that contact by selecting the “IM” icon.

FIG. 3A illustrates a process 300 used to facilitate communicationsacross a network between users of at least one communications program. Astand-alone icon (i.e., one that is not part of an application userinterface) that represents a contact or set of contacts is provided at aclient system (step 305). The term “icon” is used generally herein todenote any graphical representation of an object. Status informationregarding the contact or set of contacts is received at the clientsystem (310). The status information is displayed using the icon or inresponse to an operation performed on the icon (315).

The status information may be any information that describes the stateof affairs of the contact, the contact's network connection, or acommunications program used by the contact. For example, the statusinformation may be whether the contact is online, how long the contacthas been online, whether the contact is away or busy, whether thecontact is using a mobile device, what types of connections the contactcan accept (e.g., peer-to-peer or host-based), or what capabilities areprovided by the connection or the communications program used by thecontact.

The icon can be used to indicate status information in a number ofdifferent ways. For example, the color, shape, size, orientation, orfeatures of the icon may be changed to indicate status information. Inaddition, or alternatively, the status information may be displayed(e.g., in a pop-up contextual menu or in a “tooltip,” which is a pop-upbox that displays information) in response to a particular operationperformed on the icon.

The operation that results in the display of the status information maybe any of various operations capable of being performed on the icon. Forexample, a user may point a cursor at the icon using an input devicelike a mouse. A user may “double-click” on the icon by using a mouse topoint a cursor at the icon and pressing a button of the mouse twice. Auser may “right-click” on the icon by using a mouse with a left andright button to point a cursor at the icon and pressing the right buttonof the mouse. A user may select the icon in such a way that brings up acontext menu (e.g., by right-clicking on the icon) and select an optionfrom the context menu. A user may drag-and-drop other icons onto theicon representing the contact or set of contacts (further describedbelow). The icon representing the contact may be dragged and droppedonto another icon or onto the user interface of an application. Otheroperations may be available depending on the implementation and/oroperating system environment.

Process 300 may be implemented through any suitable type of hardware,software, device, computer, computer system, equipment, component,program, application, code, storage medium, or propagated signal. Thevarious parts of the process 300 may be performed by the same item, ormultiple items may cooperate to accomplish the results. For instance,the communications program (e.g., an IM program) may receive the statusinformation and cause the information to be displayed using the icon orin response to an operation performed on the icon. Alternatively, thecommunications program may receive the status information, communicatethe status information to separate executable file, which then causesthe information to be displayed using the icon or in response to anoperation performed on the icon. The icon may or may not represent theexecutable file (e.g., in some graphical operating system environments,such as Macintosh OS X and Microsoft Windows®, files are represented byicons). In other implementations, other software or hardware, such asplug-ins for the IM program, other stand-alone applications, or thecomputer operating system, also may contribute or cooperate to performthe various aspects of process 300.

FIG. 3B illustrates a process 320 for additionally using the icon toprovide an interface for performing actions related to the contact orset of contacts. In addition to providing status information, in someimplementations the icon may provide an interface for performing actionsrelated to the contact or set of contacts, such as sending IMs or files.

When an operation associated with at least one action related to thecontact or set of contacts is performed on the icon, the operation isrecognized (325) and the associated action is executed (330). Theoperation associated with the action may be any of various operationscapable of being performed on the icon. For example, the operationgenerally may be any of those described above, such as pointing at theicon, “double-clicking” on the icon, “right-clicking” on the icon,dragging and dropping files onto the icon, or dragging and dropping theicon onto another icon or onto the user interface of an application.Other operations may be available depending on the implementation and/oroperating system environment.

The action may include, for instance, sending an IM, sending a file,setting a buddy icon, retrieving profile information about the contact,setting an alert for when the contact comes online, establishing a VoIPcommunication session, or sending an e-mail. These actions may be thesame actions that would be executed in response to an operationperformed on a representation of the contact or set of contacts in auser interface of the communications program.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 for using drag-and-drop features withthe icon to provide an interface for actions such as transferring filesor text. In this case, the icon also provides an interface forinitiating the transfer of information to the contact(s) represented bythe icon from outside of any application's user interface (e.g., on thedesktop or in a file folder).

When a user wants to transfer information to the contact or set ofcontacts represented by this icon, the user drags and drops a secondicon that represents the information onto the icon representing thecontact or set of contacts. The information may be any type of data,including e-mail, audio data, video data, general binary data, or textdata.

The drop is recognized (step 410) and results in the informationrepresented by the second icon being automatically transferred to thecontact or set of contacts (step 415). The information can betransmitted to the contact in any known manner. For instance, apeer-to-peer connection can be established and, if the information is inthe form of a general binary file, the file may be transmitted using astandard or proprietary file transfer protocol. Or, if the informationis, for example, streaming audio or video, the information may betransmitted on the peer-to-peer connection using the real-time protocol(RTP) and real-time streaming protocol (RTSP). Similarly, if theinformation is a text file, the peer-to-peer connection may be used totransfer the text in the text file as an IM.

Alternatively, a host server may be used to assist in the transmissionof the information. For instance, if the information is a text file, thehost server may relay the text file to the contact as an IM. Or, if theinformation is in the form of a general binary file, the file may betransmitted to the host server, which relays it to the contact using astandard or proprietary file transfer protocol. Likewise, streamingaudio or video can be transmitted to the host server, which then relaysthe streaming audio or video to the contact.

As with the process 300, processes 320 and 400 may be implementedthrough any suitable type of hardware, software, device, computer,computer system, equipment, component, program, application, code,storage medium, or propagated signal.

FIGS. 5A-5I illustrate implementations of the above techniques with aninstant messaging program. Shown is a desktop 500 with a user interface205 of the instant messaging program. User interface 205 has a text box210 that displays representations 215 of the program user's contacts. Inthe example illustrated, one contact, whose screen name is“randomcontact,” is listed. Also shown is a stand-alone icon 520 thatrepresents the contact “randomcontact.”

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various manners in which status information maybe displayed using an icon representing a contact or in response to anoperation performed on the icon. In the implementations illustrated, theicon 520 is associated with an executable program or script thatcommunicates with the IM program to accomplish the display of the statusinformation. However, as described above, other software or hardware canperform all or some of the techniques in other implementations. Theexecutable program may communicate with the instant messaging programusing any known inter-application communications protocol, such as, forexample, Apple Events if implemented for a Macintosh OS X environment ordynamic data exchange (DDE) if implemented for a Microsoft Windows®environment. While shown on desktop 500, icon 520 can be moved like anyother file and located in a file system folder, if desired.

In these implementations, the IM program receives status informationregarding the contact “randomcontact.” The IM program then communicateswith the executable program to transfer the status information to theexecutable program. The executable program then uses the icon to displaythe status information, or displays the information in response to anoperation performed on the icon.

FIG. 5A shows the icon 520 when the contact “randomcontact” is notonline.

FIG. 5B shows an implementation in which the orientation of the icon 520is changed when the contact is online. As shown in FIG. 5B,“randomcontact” is online and icon 520 is flipped horizontally inresponse to indicate that the contact is online.

FIG. 5C shows an example in which the color of the icon 520 is changedwhen the user is online. As shown in FIG. 5C, “randomcontact” is onlineand the color of icon 520 is changed to white to indicate that thecontact is online.

FIG. 5D shows an implementation in which a dialog box 550 displaysstatus information. In the exemplary dialog box 550 shown, the contact'sservice, warning level, time online, and the capabilities of acommunications program (e.g., an IM program) are displayed. Dialog box550 may be a part of icon 520 or it can be a separate pop-up dialog thatis displayed in response to an operation performed on icon 520 (e.g.,when a user points a cursor at icon 520).

FIGS. 5E-5I illustrate implementations in which the icon additionallyprovides an interface to perform actions related to the contact. In thiscase, a user can initiate actions related to the contact “randomcontact”by performing operations on icon 520. As described above, various typesof operations can be performed on icon 520, such as “double-clicking” onicon 520, “right-clicking” on icon 520, dragging and dropping othericons onto icon 520, or dragging and dropping icon 520 onto another iconor onto the user interface of an application.

In the illustrated implementations, icon 520 is associated with anexecutable program or script that is invoked for some operationsperformed on icon 520. The executable program communicates with theinstant messaging program to accomplish the actions to be executed inresponse to the operations performed on icon 520. The executable programis invoked when operations are performed on icon 520 that correspond toactions related to the contact represented by icon 520. When invoked,the executable program in turn may invoke the instant messaging programif the instant messaging program is not already executing. Theinvocation of the instant messaging program may or may not be made knownto the user. For example, invocation of the instant messaging programmay be made known to the user by presenting the instant messagingprogram's interface to the user in the same manner as the interfacewould be presented if the user had directly invoked the program. Or, anicon can be displayed in the system tray (if, for example, thetechniques are implemented for a Microsoft Windows® environment).

As an alternative to invoking the instant messaging program, theexecutable program may queue the actions until the instant messagingprogram is invoked by the user. In this case, when the instant messagingprogram is subsequently invoked, the executable program will communicatewith the instant messaging client program to accomplish the actions.

When the instant messaging program is running, the executable programpasses the screen name of the contact represented by icon 520 (i.e.,“randomcontact”) to the instant messaging program along with anindication of the action to be executed and any other necessaryinformation needed to perform the action (e.g., filename). The instantmessaging program accepts this information and executes the actioncorresponding to the operations performed on icon 520.

As an example of operations and associated actions that can besupported, a drag-and-drop file transfer is described with respect toFIGS. 5E-5G. An icon 505 on desktop 500 represents a general binaryfile. To transfer the file to the contact “randomcontact,” the userdrags and drops icon 505 onto icon 520. To drag icon 505 onto icon 520,the user first selects icon 505, for example, by pointing at icon 505and pressing a mouse button. The user then drags the icon 505 towardsicon 520. As the user drags the icon across desktop 500, a secondtransparent image 510 of icon 520 shows the user where icon 505 is beingdragged. Once icon 505 is on top of icon 520 (as shown in FIG. 5F), theuser drops icon 505, for example, by releasing the mouse button.

When the user drops icon 505 onto icon 520, the executable programassociated with icon 520 is invoked. The executable program determineswhether the instant messaging program is executing and logged onto thehost server. If the instant messaging program is not executing or is notlogged on, the executable program invokes the instant messaging programand causes the instant messaging program to log onto the host server.

When the instant messaging program is executing and is logged on(regardless of whether it was originally executing or was invoked by theexecutable program), the executable program passes to the instantmessaging program the screen name that icon 520 represents (in the caseshown, “randomcontact”), the filename, and an indication that the fileshould be transferred.

The instant messaging program then initiates a file transfer to thecontact. To do so, the instant messaging program contacts the hostserver and indicates that a file transfer to the contact is desired. Thehost server indicates to the contact that the program user wishes totransfer the file and seeks permission from the contact for the file tobe transferred. As long as the contact grants permission for the file tobe transferred, the host server returns the address of the contact tothe instant messaging program, along with an indication that thetransfer is allowed.

The instant messaging program then sets up a peer-to-peer connectionwith the contact's instant messaging program and transfers the file. Asthe file is being transferred, the instant messaging program may displaya file transfer status dialog 515 (shown in FIG. 5G). File transferstatus dialog 515 shows the current status of the file transfer. Asshown, the dialog 515 displays the recipient, which in this case is“randomcontact.” The dialog 515 also displays the filename of the filebeing transferred (Figures.pdf), the transfer rate (40 K/s), and thenumber of bytes already transferred (110K). Once the transfer iscompleted, feedback (e.g., a sound) may be provided to the user toindicate the transfer is completed, and the file status dialog 515 isclosed.

Similar to a file transfer, drag-and-drop instant message sessions canbe supported when a user drops a text file onto icon 520. Thus, forexample, if the file shown in FIG. 5E was named Figures.txt andcontained ASCII text, then an instant message would be initiated whenthe file is dropped on icon 520, rather than a file transfer. In thiscase, when the text file is dropped, the executable program retrievesthe text from the file. The executable program then passes the screenname represented by icon 520 and the text to the instant messagingprogram, along with an indication that the text is to be sent as aninstant message. The instant messaging program then contacts a hostserver and transmits the text and screen name to the host server. Thehost server then directly communicates the text to the contact as aninstant message.

FIGS. 5H and 5I illustrate an alternative (or additional) manner inwhich instant messaging sessions can be supported by allowing a user to“copy” text from a document and “paste” the text onto icon 520.Referring to FIG. 5H, a desktop 500 is shown with a user interface 525of a text editor application. The interface 525 of the text editor has atext box 545 in which a user can type text, such as the text 530. Theuser can also “select” text 530, for example, by pressing a mouse buttonand dragging a pointer across the text 530. This results in text 530being highlighted as shown.

After a user selects text 530, the user can “copy” the text, forexample, by pressing a mouse button while the pointer is over the textto bring up a context menu 535 and selecting “copy” from the contextmenu 535. When copied, text 530 is stored by the operating system in asection of memory typically referred to as the “clipboard.”

After text 530 has been copied, a user can then “paste” the text 530 toicon 520. Referring to FIG. 5I, the user pastes the text 530 to icon520, for example, by pressing a mouse button while the pointer is overicon 520 to bring up a context menu 540 and selecting “paste” from thecontext menu 540. Selecting paste results in the executable programretrieving the text stored in the section of memory referred to as theclipboard. The executable program then passes the screen namerepresented by icon 520 and the text to the instant messaging program,along with an indication that the text is to be sent as an instantmessage. The instant messaging program then contacts a host server andtransmits the text and screen name to the host server. The host serverthen directly communicates the text to the contact as an instantmessage.

Likewise, other operations may be performed on icon 520 to executecorresponding actions related to the contact represented by icon 520.For instance, right-clicking on icon 520 may bring up a context menuthat has an option to set an alert when the contact comes online.Selecting the option results in the alert being set for the contact orset of contacts. Double-clicking on the icon may bring up profileinformation about the contact that icon 520 represents.

In addition, icon 520 may indicate the online presence of the contact itrepresents. A number of different techniques may be used to indicateonline presence. For example, the shape or color of icon 520 may bedifferent when the contact is online as opposed to when the contact isnot online. The contact's online status also may be included in profileinformation that is displayed when a user double-clicks on icon 520.Similarly, icon 520 may show other contextual information regarding thecontact, such as how long the contact has been online, whether thecontact is away, or whether the contact is using a mobile device.

While the executable program has been described as communicating withthe instant messaging program to accomplish the actions, in otherimplementations the executable program may be able to directly executethe actions itself without the need for an external program such as theinstant messaging program.

Some implementations of the described techniques also may support adrag-and-drop method of creating the icon representing a contact. Inthis case, the icon can be created by dragging and dropping arepresentation of the contact in the user interface of thecommunications program onto an area other than the user interface.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a drag-and-drop manner of creating the icon inone implementation for an instant messaging program. To create the iconthat represents the contact “randomcontact,” the user selects therepresentation 215 of “randomcontact” in the instant messaging program'suser interface 205 and drags that representation onto an area other thaninterface 205, such as desktop 600. To drag representation 215 ontodesktop 600, the user first selects representation 215, for instance, bypointing at it and pressing a mouse button (shown in FIG. 6A). The userthen drags representation 215 towards desktop 600 (shown in FIG. 6B). Asthe user drags the icon towards desktop 600, a transparent image 605shows the user where the representation 215 is being dragged. Once image605 is on top of desktop 600, the user drops image 605 by releasing themouse button. When the user drops image 605 onto desktop 600, the icon610 representing the contact is created (shown in FIG. 6C). Icon 610also is associated with the corresponding executable program, or theexecutable program is created if it does not exist.

One implementation of creating the icon and executable program in aMacintosh OS X operating system environment uses a “skeleton” executableprogram and icon that are not specific to any particular contact. Whenrepresentation 215 is dragged and dropped onto an area other thaninterface 205, the operating system performs a callback to inform theinstant messaging program that representation 215 has been dropped. Theinstant messaging program then copies the skeleton executable program tothe location where representation 215 was dropped. The copied executableprogram is given the name of the contact. This results in the icon beingdisplayed with the screen name of the contact.

After the executable program is copied, the instant messaging programloads a static text string that contains substitution tokens. Theinstant messaging program then replaces the substitution tokens with thescreen name of the contact. The resulting text is an uncompiledAppleScript. The instant messaging program compiles the AppleScript andinserts it into a resource in the executable program. Thus, once theexecutable program is created it is unique to that screen name and doesnot rely on any external data for that association to persist. Similarimplementations can be applied to other operating system environments.

Some implementations of the described techniques also may support adrag-and-drop method of adding a contact to the contact list using theicon that represents the contact.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a drag-and-drop manner of adding a contact to thecontact list in one implementation for an instant messaging program. Anicon 705 representing a contact is located on desktop 700. Icon 705 mayhave been placed on desktop in any manner. For instance, it may havebeen created on desktop 700 (e.g., by dragging and dropping from a firstinstant messaging program as described above) or moved onto desktop 700after being created in a location other than the desktop. Or, a user ofan instant messaging program on a different client system may havecreated icon 705 and transferred it to the client system providingdesktop 700.

To add the contact represented by icon 705 to the contact list in theinstant messaging program's user interface 205, the user selects icon705 and drags it from the desktop (or other location) onto userinterface 205. To drag icon 705 onto interface 205, the user firstselects icon 705 and drags it towards interface 205 (shown in FIG. 7B).As the user drags the icon towards interface 205, a transparent image710 shows the user where icon 705 is being dragged. Once image 710 is ontop of interface 205, the user drops image 710. When the user dropsimage 710, the operating system informs the instant messaging programthat image 710 has been dropped on interface 205. As a result, theinstant messaging program obtains the screen name of the contact, addsthe contact to the contact list, and creates the representation 215 ofthe contact in user interface 205 (shown in FIG. 7C). If the screen nameis internally stored in the executable program corresponding to the icon(e.g., similarly to the above described implementation for creating theicon and executable program in a Macintosh OS X operating systemenvironment), the instant messaging program may communicate with theexecutable to obtain the screen name of the contact. Alternatively, ifthe filename of the executable program is the screen name of thecontact, the instant messaging program may obtain the screen name fromthe filename of the executable.

Communications programs, including instant messaging programs, may allowa user to group contacts together in groups or sets. The describedtechniques also can be applied to such groups or sets. Thus, while someimplementations have been shown using an icon that represents a singlecontact, the described techniques also may be used to provide an iconthat represents a group or set of contacts in addition, or as analternative, to providing an icon that represents a single contact.

FIG. 8 illustrates an implementation in which multiple icons, eachrepresenting either a contact or set of contacts, are situated in adesktop file folder. As shown, a file folder 805 is located on a desktop800. The name of file folder 805 is “buddies.” The contents of filefolder 805 are displayed by opening it, for example, by double-clickingon file folder 805. When file folder is opened, a window 810 isdisplayed that shows the contents of file folder 805. Window 810 has awindow area 815 in which the multiple icons are displayed. A first icon820 represents the contact whose screen name is “randomcontact.” Asecond icon 825 represents a set of contacts, collectively grouped as“co-workers.” A third icon 830 represents the contact whose screen nameis “randomcontact2.”

Icons 820, 825, and 830 may indicate the online presence, or otherstatus information, of the respective contact it represents, or statusinformation about contact(s) may be displayed in response to anoperation performed on one of the icons 820, 825, or 830, as describedabove. A user may perform operations on any of the icons 820, 825, or830 to cause actions to be executed for the contact represented by therespective icon, also as described above. For instance, the program usermay drop a binary file onto icon 820 to transfer the file torandomcontact. The program user may drop a text file (or paste text) onicon 825 to initiate a group chat session with the set of contactsgrouped as “co-workers” or, depending upon a specified configuration, toinvoke independent chat sessions with each contact in the “co-workers”group. The program user also, for instance, may set an alert for whenrandomcontact2 comes online by selecting icon 830 to bring up a contextmenu and selecting an alert option from the menu.

The techniques described above are not limited to any particularhardware or software configuration. Rather, they may be implementedusing hardware, software, or a combination of both. The methods andprocesses described may be implemented as computer programs that areexecuted on device comprising at least one processor and at least onedata storage system (e.g., programmable computer, cellular phone, orpersonal digital assistant). The data storage system may be any type ofstorage medium or device usable with a processor (e.g., CD-ROM, RAM, ormagnetic disk). The programs may be implemented in a high-levelprogramming language and may also be implemented in assembly or otherlower level languages, if desired.

Any such program will typically be stored on a computer-usable storagemedium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, RAM, or magnetic disk). When read intothe processor of the computer and executed, the instructions of theprogram cause the programmable computer to carry out the variousoperations described.

Furthermore, while the techniques have been described primarily with IMapplications, they may be applied to other communications programs suchas FTP programs, e-mail programs, voice-over-IP (VoIP) or othertelephony programs, or players for streaming media.

Other implementations are also within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of facilitating communications across a network betweenusers of at least one communications program, the method comprising:providing a file that represents a contact or set of contacts of a userin the communications program, wherein an operating system representsthe file as a stand-alone graphical object; receiving status informationregarding the contact or set of contacts from the communicationsprogram; and updating visual representation of the stand-alone graphicalobject in response to the received status information, such that thevisual representation of the graphical object conveys the statusinformation of the contact or set of contacts.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the status information comprises any of: whether the contact orset of contacts is online, how long the contact or set of contacts hasbeen online, whether the contact or set of contacts is away or busy,whether the contact or set of contacts is using a mobile device, whattypes of connections the contact or set of contacts can accept, whatcapabilities are provided by the contact or set of contacts' connection,or what capabilities are provided by the communications program.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: detecting that a graphical objectrepresenting information to be transmitted to the contact or set ofcontacts has been dropped on the stand-alone graphical object, andautomatically transmitting the information represented by the droppedgraphical object to the contact or set of contacts in response to thegraphical object representing information to be transmitted beingdropped on the stand-alone graphical object representing the contact orset of contacts.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the information to betransmitted comprises a file, such that the file is automaticallytransmitted to the contact or set of contacts in response to thegraphical object representing the file being dropped on the stand-alonegraphical object representing the contact or set of contacts.
 5. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the information to be transmitted comprises atextual message such that the textual message is automaticallytransmitted to the contact or set of contacts in response to thegraphical object representing the textual message being dropped on thestand-alone graphical object representing the contact or set ofcontacts.
 6. A tangible computer-usable storage medium storing acomputer program for facilitating communications across a networkbetween users of at least one communications program, the computerprogram comprising instructions for causing a computer to: provide afile that represents a contact or set of contacts of a user in thecommunications program, wherein an operating system represents the fileas a stand-alone graphical object; receive status information regardingthe contact or set of contacts from the communications program; andupdate visual representation of the stand-alone graphical object inresponse to the received status information, such that the visualrepresentation of the graphical object conveys the status information ofthe contact or set of contacts.
 7. The tangible computer-usable storagemedium of claim 6 wherein the status information comprises any of:whether the contact or set of contacts is online, how long the contactor set of contacts has been online, whether the contact or set ofcontacts is away or busy, whether the contact or set of contacts isusing a mobile device, what types of connections the contact or set ofcontacts can accept, what capabilities are provided by the contact orset of contacts' connection, or what capabilities are provided by thecommunications program.
 8. The tangible computer-usable storage mediumof claim 6 further comprising: detecting that a graphical objectrepresenting information to be transmitted to the contact or set ofcontacts has been dropped on the stand-alone graphical object, andautomatically transmitting the information represented by the droppedgraphical object to the contact or set of contacts in response to thegraphical object representing information to be transmitted beingdropped on the stand-alone graphical object representing the contact orset of contacts.
 9. The tangible computer-usable storage medium of claim8 wherein the information to be transmitted comprises a file, such thatthe file is automatically transmitted to the contact or set of contactsin response to the stand-alone graphical object representing the filebeing dropped on the stand-alone graphical object representing thecontact or set of contacts.
 10. The tangible computer-usable storagemedium of claim 8 wherein the information to be transmitted comprises atextual message such that the textual message is automaticallytransmitted to the contact or set of contacts in response to thegraphical object representing the textual message being dropped on thestand-alone graphical object representing the contact or set ofcontacts.
 11. A system for facilitating communications across a networkbetween users of at least one communications program, the systemcomprising: means for providing a file that represents a contact or setof contacts of a user in the communications program, wherein anoperating system represents the file as a stand-alone graphical object;means for receiving status information regarding the contact or set ofcontacts from the communications program; and means for updating visualrepresentation of the stand-alone graphical object in response to thereceived status information, such that the visual representation of thegraphical object conveys the status information of the contact or set ofcontacts.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the status informationcomprises any of: whether the contact or set of contacts is online, howlong the contact or set of contacts has been online, whether the contactor set of contacts is away or busy, whether the contact or set ofcontacts is using a mobile device, what types of connections the contactor set of contacts can accept, what capabilities are provided by thecontact or set of contacts' connection, or what capabilities areprovided by the communications program.
 13. The system of claim 11further comprising: means for detecting that a graphical objectrepresenting information to be transmitted to the contact or set ofcontacts has been dropped on the stand-alone graphical object, and meansfor automatically transmitting the information represented by thedropped graphical object to the contact or set of contacts in responseto the graphical object representing information to be transmitted beingdropped on the stand-alone graphical object representing the contact orset of contacts.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the information tobe transmitted comprises a file, such that the file is automaticallytransmitted to the contact or set of contacts in response to thestand-alone graphical object representing the file being dropped on thestand-alone graphical object representing the contact or set ofcontacts.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the information to betransmitted comprises a textual message such that the textual message isautomatically transmitted to the contact or set of contacts in responseto the graphical object representing the textual message being droppedon the stand-alone graphical object representing the contact or set ofcontacts.